Michael Ellis leaves Michelin for Dubai's Jumeirah

Michael Ellis has been international director of the dining guides since 2011

Michael Ellis, the international director of the Michelin guides — the dining guides published by the French tire company of the same name — is stepping down. According to a statement, Ellis will leave the post he’s held since 2011 on September 14, 2018.

During his time as international director, Ellis led the Michelin guides’ coverage of new territories, adding six new guides in the last three years. Notably, Michelin has expanded into Asia, publishing its first-ever guides to Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, and Bangkok. The first guide to Guangzhou is set to launch later this year and Michelin announced plans for guides to Phuket and Phang-nga just last month.

“The past seven years as head of the [Michelin] guides have been the most exciting of my career and I cannot thank the Michelin Group enough for giving me this unique opportunity,” Ellis said in a statement. “The inspectors are the beating heart of this strategic activity, their passion and their expertise are powerful, and I have been honored to be by their side during these last seven years. Long live the Michelin Guide!”

According to French publication Le Point, Ellis is leaving for a role as “chief culinary officer” of Dubai-based luxury hotel brand Jumeirah. There, he’ll recruit chefs and help grow the hotel chain’s roster of fine dining restaurants. Jumeirah already has 100 restaurants at hotels in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, a number they plan to double over the next five years, Le Point reports.

Michelin will appoint a successor “soon” to what is undoubtedly a coveted position for dining guide devotees.